Candlelight Processional weekend advice

[crystal1313]

Hello! I am super excited that we just booked a trip Nov. 30 & Dec. 1st for our annual Xmas time trip to DL.

We used to visit the parks a couple times a year but now only go once a year, and I feel out of the loop! We decided that we cannot justify the additional cost for park hopper tickets and are going with a 2 day, one park per day ticket. This is what I need help with: Which park to go to on which day!?!

I realize crowds are going to be there regardless, as that is just a norm now (and we will have fun no matter what!). I just am not sure if we should do DCA Friday and DL Sat? Even if DL has the Candlelight Processional. I am guessing that DCA will get more crowded because people are trying to avoid CP? I have also heard that DL is not that crowded because most people are watching the CP...But I really don't know. So, what would you do if you were me? I appreciate any tips/advice. Thank you. So excited to be going home!!

 

[Niltiac]

Personally, I don't think CP really needs to be the deciding factor. I would look at other things like hours and schedules to decide. Since there is limited space only a small portion of park guests will be able to watch CP, so in my experience it doesn't empty out the park or send people running to DCA. Many of the people coming to watch CP are coming specifically for that reason, so they may spend a good portion of the day staking out their spot rather than crowding the rest of the park - and even if they don't, it's just not a huge number of people due to the nature of the event. The only place where CP specifically causes congestion is in the entryway to the park, making it difficult to come and go in the evening, but since you don't have parkhoppers you probably won't be doing that anyway. When I went during CP weekend I found lots of rides to be walk-on at night after the second CP ended, but it was a late closing on a cold night, so that's probably why.

 

[chickapin parterre]

go opposite of early morning entry, that would put you on fair start time at Disneyland friday and DCA on Saturday. From what I have read on three different sites, Niltiac's observations are very sound. Maxpass seems to be helping folks who gather kisok fastpass rather than the $10.00 fee, so being a veteran visitor, you should be pleasantry surprised.

 

[Doctor Who]

We were there two years ago During the Candlelight Processional. Once you get past Main Street it was ok. They had the extra side routes open most of the day so you could avoid it.

 

[crystal1313]

Thank you all! @chickapin parterre my next question was going to be about MP, so thank you! I was always the FP runner so I don't mind doing that again!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you want to avoid the congestion in Town Square when entering DL during CP, just take the monorail into TL. That will help you avoid the more crowded areas of the park.

 

[tnzzz]

We were there last year on the Friday and Saturday during CP. We did DL Friday (though we did park hop late that evening to DCA) and stayed in DCA on Saturday to avoid the CP crowds.
Saturday in DCA surprisingly felt a lot more crowded than Friday in DL. Wait times on rides were longer that day as well.

 

[crystal1313]

If you want to avoid the congestion in Town Square when entering DL during CP, just take the monorail into TL. That will help you avoid the more crowded areas of the park.

Thank you! Great idea =) We are debating on eating a meal in DTD or at DLH so the monorail would be perfect.

We were there last year on the Friday and Saturday during CP. We did DL Friday (though we did park hop late that evening to DCA) and stayed in DCA on Saturday to avoid the CP crowds.
Saturday in DCA surprisingly felt a lot more crowded than Friday in DL. Wait times on rides were longer that day as well.

Interesting! I am leaning towards DCA on Friday and DL on Sat so we can stay later our last night. Plus, I feel like DL will have more for us to do....and if we don't have a ton to do, I would love to experience CP again. It was so moving the first time I got to experience it. Thank you for the input!

 

[Jaina]

We are looking at going just that Saturday, but I forgot about Candlelight Processional. Do you think it would be any less crowded to go Friday, even though several passes are blocked on Saturday? Or would we be better off going the Saturday before Thanksgiving? Do you think there will be -that- much difference? Or Monday December 3rd?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We are looking at going just that Saturday, but I forgot about Candlelight Processional. Do you think it would be any less crowded to go Friday, even though several passes are blocked on Saturday? Or would we be better off going the Saturday before Thanksgiving? Do you think there will be -that- much difference? Or Monday December 3rd?

Don't do Mon., 12/03. Mondays are not great now anyway + all the APs are good to go that day = pick another day! CP weekend really isn't that bad, as long as you know to avoid the congestion in TS during the evening. And that's easy to do. (And if you really like Christmas pageants and carols, CP is lovely!) The Saturday before Thanksgiving shouldn't be too bad, either -- the lower 2 passes are blocked, so that's helpful. It will be crowded because so many school districts get the whole week off, but once Holiday Time starts, the crowds will start building as the season moves forward -- take it or leave it! As long as you have good plans in place (and you have enough experience to know what to do!) and MP/FP skills, lots of patience, and a positive attitude (and you have those, too), pick either 12/03 or 11/17 (whichever works best for your schedule) and have a great day.

 

[Jaina]

Awesome, thank you so much for your insight! Even though it ends up more expensive, I think Saturday the 1st will be the best bet for us. Also, that set of days works better for husbands to keep all of our children. And we will just be excited to be together without kids and at Disney!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Awesome, thank you so much for your insight! Even though it ends up more expensive, I think Saturday the 1st will be the best bet for us. Also, that set of days works better for husbands to keep all of our children. And we will just be excited to be together without kids and at Disney!!

And, since that date is after Thanksgiving, it might be a candy cane day!! Get there at rope drop and see if you can get a wristband for a freshly made candy cane! (The dates and parks for the candy canes should be released sometime in early November.)